Electrical apparatus



July 11, 1944. w HT 2,353,518

ELECTRICAL APPARATUS Filed Oct. 2, 1940 Inventor: Woldemar Specht,

y His Attorney Patented July 11, 1944 ELECTRICAL mm'rvs Woldemar Specht, Philadelphia, Pa., assumito General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application October 2. 1940. Serial No. 359,398

4 Claims. (01. 115-1113) My invention relates to electrical apparatus and more particularly to combined test and grounding means for testing and grounding highvoltage circuits, such as main buses, feeder connections, and the like.

In order to make repairs on high-voltage electric circuits and apparatus associated therewith, it is, of course, necessary to ground the hightension circuits to insure the safety of workmen working either on these circuits or associated apparatus. In grounding such circuits, it is important to compel the operator to test the circuit before attempting to ground the same in order to make sure that it is unenergized and, furthermore, that the circuit which has been tested is thereafter grounded. Conditions have arisen where an operator tested high-tension electrical circuits, such as main buses or feeder lines, found that they were unenergized, and then proceeded to ground a different circuit which was energized, resulting in loss of life as well as destruction of property. In order to eliminate this danger of grounding an energized high-tension electrical circuit with the consequent destruction of life and property, it would be desirable to provide an arrangement which would require testing of the electrical circuits before grounding and prevent such grounding unless the circuits were unenergized. Furthermore, the arrangement should require that only the tested unenergized circuit could be grounded. My invention is particularly applicable to metalclad switchgear whether of the vertical lift type or the horizontal draw-out type. In connection with such switchgear, grounding arrangements have been provided which are associated with the removable circuit breaker itself, by providing auxiliary contacts and connections which are made when the circuit breaker is in the open position, the breaker being subsequently closed to effect the grounding connection. Arrangements of this type, however, involve the danger of breaking the grounding connection in the event that the circuit breaker is tripped and, furthermore, do

not provide foolproof means for eliminating the L dangers referred to above.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide an improved testing and grounding apparatus for high-tension circuits which is simple and rugged in construction and foolproof in operation so as to reduce the possibility of danger either to life or property,

It is another object of my invention to provide an improved combined test and grounding device for electrical circuits which will prevent the grounding of these circuits when they are energized and which will provide a greater measure of safety than arrangements known heretofore.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an improved testing and grounding device for metal-clad switchgear of the type including a stationary structure for housing the main bus bars and feeder connections and a switch unit removable with respect thereto wherein the grounding connection cannot be broken accidentally and also which may be controlled fro a remote position.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize my invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

For a better understanding of my invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a specific apparatus embodying the combinedtesting and grounding equipment of my invention, and Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of the control circuit and schematic representation of some of the apparatus of the combined testing and grounding equipment of Fig. 1.

In order to illustrate my invention, I have chosen in Fig. 1 to show its specific application to metal-clad switchgear of the so-called vertical lift type" in which engagement and disengagement of the primary disconnecting contacts are obtained by vertical movement of the removable unit. It will, of course, be obvious to those skilled in the art that my invention is equally applicable for use in connection with metal-clad switchgear of the so-called draw-out type wherein engagement and disengagement of the primary disconnecting contacts are obtained by horizontal movement of the removable unit, or for use in other installations where a combined testing and grounding device is required.

Since metal-clad switchgear, in connection with which I have chosen to describe my invention, is very well known to those skilled in the art, only a brief mention thereof will be made hereinafter. Such switchgear generally comprises a stationar housing in which are mounted the stationary circuit and bus bar structures which are connected to the stationary portions of the primary disconnecting contacts also supported by this housing, and a removable unit including the circuit breaker and the movable portion of the primary disconnecting contacts.

Quite often the stationary housing also supports certain interlocking means and rack-out or elevating mechanisms to aid'in the engagement and disengagement of the primary disconnecting contacts. Metal-clad switchgear of the vertical lift and draw-out types are disclosed and claimed, respectively, in United States Letters Patent 2,043,113, Paxton et al., granted June 2, 1936, and a copending application of Bertram W. Mahoney, Serial Number 321,673, filed March 1, 1940, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application.

The present invention consists in providing a separate testing and grounding unit which is inserted in the metal-clad switchgear in place of the removable unit, comprising the circuit breaker and the movable portion of the primary disconnecting contacts, whenever grounding of the circuits or a part thereof is to be effected for maintenance purposes and the like. In order to aid in the understanding of my invention, I will first describe it in connection with the schematic diagram of Fig. 2 before describing the structural details illustrated in Fig. 1. However, the corresponding parts of Figs. 1 and 2 are designated by the same reference numerals.

Referring now to Fig. 2, I have schematically illustrated the stationary portions Ill of the primary disconnecting contacts which are supported by the metal enclosed housing, generally indicated at H in Fig. 1 in a manner well understood by those skilled in the art. Only a small portion of the metal-enclosed housing i l is shown in Fig. 1 since the particular construction of this housing forms no part of my invention and serves in so far as my invention is concerned merely to support the stationary portions ill of the primary disconnecting contacts which are arranged to engage with cooperating contacts l2 mounted on the combined testing and grounding unit of my invention. I have chosen to illustrate the cooperating contacts IB and 12 as comprising three phases but it will be obvious that my invention is equally applicable to any single-phase or polyphase arrangement. The cooperating contacts 12 arranged to engage with the stationary portions ill of the primary disconnecting contacts supported by housing ll (Fig. 1) are connected to the terminals l3 of a grounding switch l4 which is connected to ground through ground circuit l5. Grounding switch I4 is arranged to be operated by a suitable reversible motor l6, energized from a source of control potential l1 which in the instant case is illustrated as a direct-current source. Although I have illustrated an electric motor l5, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a fluid motor or a pneumatic motor might equally well be used. The control circuit for motor IE will be described in detail hereinafter.

As was mentioned above, it is desirable that the operator can only ground the line which he has tested and, accordingly, it is essential that the testing of the line must precede the grounding. To accomplish this, I provide a suitable normally open limit switch I! connected in the control circuit of motor l5 so that motor I! cannot be energized to operate grounding switch l4 until limit switchlii is closed. As shown in Fig. 1, limit switch I8 is mounted at the top of the combined test and grounding unit and is arranged to be closed when it engages the portion Ii of the metal housing generally indicated as l is not closed until cooperating contacts 12 of Limit switch I! is also so positioned that it' the combined testing and grounding unit have engaged the stationary portions ID of the primary disconnecting contacts. It will, of course, be obvious to those skilled in the art that, if the combined test and grounding unit were to be used with metal-clad switchgear of the draw-out type as contrasted with the vertical lift type disclosed in Fig. 1, limit switch ll would be placed at the rear of the removable testing and grounding unit so as to be closed upon the engagement of horizontally positioned contacts similar to ill and 12. As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, engagement of contacts II and 12 or disengagement thereof cannot be accomplished unless grounding switch I4 is open.

As soon as contacts Ill and I2 have been engaged, a plurality of potential transformers i9, 25, and 2|, having the primary windings thereof connected across the respective phases associated with contacts Ill and 12, will be energized if the circuits associated with contacts I! are alive. In order to inform the operator that the circuit to be grounded is alive, the secondary windings of potential transformers I5, 20, and 2| are normally connected through a six-pole double-throw test switch 22 to suitable signal lamps 23, 24, and 25. Test switch 22 is biased by means of spring 25 to connect lamps 23, 24, and 25 across the secondary windings of potential transformers I9, 25, and 21, respectively. Furthermore. spring means 25 is arranged to return test switch 22 to the position shown in Fig. 2 after it has been opened for any reason by the operator. If there is no potential on the circuits associated with the stationary portions ll) of the primary disconnecting contacts, the signal lamps 23, 24, and 25 will not glow. In order to make sure that the absence of glow from lamps 23, 24, and 25 is not due to faulty lamps, the double-throw feature of test switch 22 is provided, whereby the lamps may be connected across the control source of power l1 through test contacts 21. If the operattor moves test switch 22 so that contacts 21 are engaged thereby, the signal lamps 23, 24, and 25 should light up if they are in good condition, whereupon the operator will be informed that, if the lamps do not glow when test switch 22 is returned to its spring-biased position, there is no potential on the circuit to be grounded and, hence, it is safe to perform the grounding operation.

In the event that the operator should disregard the indication of signal lamps 23, 24, and 25, showing that the circuit to be grounded is alive, and try to close motor-operated grounding switch l4, he would find it impossible because of the fact that I have provided three potential relays 28, 29, and 30, connected across the secondary windings of potential transformers I5, 20, and 2|, respectively. These potential relays 25, 23, and 35 have their contacts 3|, 32, and 33, respectively, connected in series in the control circuit of motor I 5, which cannot be operated unless all three of these relays are unenergized, indicating no potential on the circuit to be grounded.

The control circuit for motor l5 illustrated as a direct-current motor with a shunt held 34 and a series field 35 comprises an opening push button or switch 35, a closing push button or switch 31, an opening contactor generally indicated at 32, and a closing contactor generally indicated at 39. Opening push button 35 is provided with a pair of normally open contacts 45 and a pair of normally closed contacts 4|, while closing push button 31 is provided with a pair of normally open contacts 42 and normally closed contacts 43. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that opening and closing push buttons 36 and 31 are preferably arranged so that the operation of motor I6 and consequently grounding switch I4 may be controlled from a remote position.

Each of the opening and closing contactors 33 and 33 controls a plurality of normally open contacts and a. normally closed contact as follows: Opening contactor 38 is arranged to control normally open contacts 44, normally open opening seal-in contacts 45, normally open contacts 46 adapted to shunt opening starting resistor 41, normally closed interlock-contacts 46, and normally open contacts 43 and 56. Similarly closing contactor 33 is arranged to control normally open contacts 5I, normally open closing seal-in contacts'52, normally open contacts 53 adapted to shunt closing starting resistor 54, normally closed interlock contacts 55, and normally open contacts 56 and 51. In order to stop motor I6 when grounding switch I4 has been completely opened or completely closed, I have provided opening limit switch 56 and closing limit switch 53. These switches are of the normally closed type and are arranged to be alternately operated by a suitable interlock arm 66 when the grounding switch I4 assumes its extreme positions as will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

Assuming now that the grounding switch I4 is open then. consequently, interlock arm 66 is in its extreme right-hand position as shown in Fig. 2 to cause opening limit switch 58 to assume the open position. Under the above condition closing limit switch 53 will have assumed its closed position. If the cooperating contacts I2 are engaged with the stationary portions I6 of the primary disconnecting contacts and limit switch I6 is closed, grounding switch I4 may be operated to the closed position in the event that the circuit to be grounded is unenergized and the contacts 3|, 32 and 33 of potential relays 26. 23 and 36 are closed. The closing of grounding switch I4 may be initiated by depressing closing push button 31, whereupon closing contactor 33 is energized from the positive terminal of the control source of power I1 through normally open contacts 42 of the closing push button 31,

the normally closed contacts M of the opening push button 36, the contacts 3I, 32, and 33, respectively, of potential relays 26,29, and 36, the normally closed interlock contacts 43 of opening contactor 33, the energizing winding of contactor 33, starting resistor 54, closing limit switch 53, and limit switch I8 to the negative terminal of control power source I1. The energization of closing contactor 33 will close contacts 5I, 52, 53, 56, and 51 and open interlock contacts 55. Contacts 52 are seal-in contacts so that, even though closing push button 31 is released, power from the positive terminal of control source I1 now passes through seal-in contacts 52 instead of contacts 42 of closing push button 31. The

opening of contacts 55 cuts out the starting resistor 54 while contacts 5|, 56, and 51 complete the energizing circuit of motor I6 for the direction of rotation required to close grounding switch I4. This circuit for energizing motor 16 may be traced from the positive terminal of control power source I1 through contacts 5I, series field 35, contacts 56, the armature of dynamo-electric machine I6, contacts 51, limit switch I8, to the negative terminal of control power source I1. The shunt field 34 is, of course,

energized in parallel with the armature circuit just described. Interlock contacts 55 of contactor 33 are opened at this time to prevent energization of opening contactor 36 as long as' closing contactor 33 is energized. During the course of the closing of grounding switch I4, interlock arm 66 is rotated to allow opening limit switch 58 to close and, when grounding switch I4 is completely closed the circuit of closing contactor 33 is interrupted by the operation of closing limit switch 53. The opening of closing limit switch 53 and consequent deenergization of closing contactor 33 interrupts the energizing circuit for motor I6 and closes interlocking contacts 55 so as to prepare the circuit for the opening operation of grounding switch I4.

To open grounding switch I4, it is necessary to depress opening push button 36 whereupon opening contactor 38 is energized from the positive terminal of control power source I1 through the normally open contacts 46 of opening push button 36, the normally closed contacts 43 of closing push button 31, interlocking contacts 55 of closing contactor 33, the energizing winding of contactor 36, starting resistor 41, opening limit switch 58, limit switch I6, to the negative terminal of source I1. Energization of contactor 38 will cause contacts 44, 45, 46, 43, and 56 to be closed while contacts 48 are opened to prevent closing contactor 33 from being energized while opening contactor 36 is energized. The closing of seal-in contacts 45 makes the opening operation of grounding switch I4 automatic from this point on and release of opening push button 36 will have no effect in so far as preventing the completion of the opening operation of the grounding switch. The closing of. contacts 46 will shunt starting resistor 41 while the closing of contacts 44, 43, and 56 will cause energization of motor I6 so as to open grounding switch I4, the connections being similar to those completed when closing contactor 33 is energized except that the armature potential of motor I6 is reversed. When grounding switch I4 begins to open, interlock arm 66 allows closing limit switch 53 to close and opens opening limit switch 58 to interrupt the motor circuit through the deenergization of opening contactor 36 when grounding switch I4 reaches its extreme open position.

Although the opening seal-in contacts 45 and the closing seal-in contacts 52 provide automatic control so that the opening push. button 36 or the closing push button 31 may be released and the opening or closing operations of grounding switch I4 will, nevertheless, be completed, I have made provision to reverse any operation at the will of the operator before completion thereof. This is accomplished by opening the normally closed contacts of either the opening or closing push button which will immediately stop either the closing or opening operation, respectively and automatically bring grounding switch I4 to its previous position.

The combined testing and grounding apparatus schematically illustrated in Fig. 2' and described above is preferably mounted on a removable unit so as to be readily engageable with the stationary portions I6 of the primary disconnecting contacts mounted in the stationary housing II of the metal-clad switchgear. This removable unit as was mentioned above may be either of the vertical lift or draw-out type depending upon the metal-clad switchgear with which it is to be used. In Fig. 1, I have illustrated my invention as embodied in a removable unit generally indicated at 6| which comprises a truck-mounted frame 52 of the same dimension as the removable units comprisin the circuit breaker which is removed from the metal-clad switchgear in order to insert my combined test and grounding equipment. Truck-mounted frame 62 is arranged to support contacts I! which are illustrated in Fig. 1 as adapted to be engaged with the stationary portions of the primary disconnecting contacts of metal-clad switchgear of the vertical lift type. Truck-mounted frame 82 also supports motor Ii and grounding switch H which is driven thereby through suitable gearing 63. Although in Fig. 1, I have for the sake of simplification of the drawing illustrated only one pole of grounding switch I! as being connected to ground, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a similar connection will be provided for each phase as schematically illustrated in Fig. 2.

The removable unit, generally indicated at 61, embodying my combined testing and grounding device is arranged to be rolled into the metal enclosure Il so that contacts I! may engage with the stationary portions III of the primary disconnecting contacts, not shown in Fig. 1 when the unit is elevated by means of the elevating mechanism described hereinafter; It will be understood by those skilled in the art that there are usually at least two sets of the stationary portions of the primary disconnecting contacts in metal-clad switchgear which are arranged to be connected to the circuit breaker as is clearly illustrated in the above-mentioned Paxton et al. patent. One of these sets of contacts is usually connected to the bus structure while the other is connected to a feeder or supply circuit. The combined test and grounding equipment of my invention is adapted to test and ground either of these sets of contacts, depending upon which set is engaged with cooperating contacts I2, which, in turn, is dependent upon the position of removable unit 6! in the metal-enclosed housing H since the stationary portions of these primary disconnecting contacts usually comprise a front set and a rear set in switchgear of the vertical lift type which are separated by a suitable distance determined entirely by mechanical and electrical considerations.

Engagement of contacts H with the stationary contacts supported by housing I l is accomplished in the vertical lift type of switchgear as illustrated in Fig. 1 by lifting truck-mounted unit 6| vertically, thereby causing engagement of these cooperating plug type contacts. Such vertical movement of removable unit Si is accomplished by means of a suitable elevating mechanism which is provided on the stationary housing II for elevating the vertical lift type of switchgear which is removed when my grounding device is inserted in its place. The elevating mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1 is substantially the same as that disclosed and claimed in the above-mentioned Paxton et al. patent and comprises four jack screws 64 arranged in the form of a rectangle, each jack screw being journaled as at 65 in a cross member 66 of a stationary housing generally indicated at H. In Fig. l, I have only shown so much of stationary housing H in order to show the elevating mechanism and its cooperation with my combined testing and grounding unit 6|. The lower end of each jack screw 64 is mounted in a bearing member 61, which, in turn, is supported on a cross member 88. The pair of jack screws on each side of the frame are arranged to elevate and lower a supporting member 8! for supporting either the circuit breaker or my combined test and grounding unit CI in a manner well understood by those skilled in the art. Supporting members II are arranged to engage the removable unit I or the removable circuit breaker as the case may be so that simultaneous and uniform rotation of the Jack screws 64 causes corresponding vertical movement of the removable unit. Uniform movement of the Jack screws Il may be obtained in any desirable manner as by the main operating shaft 10 coacting with one pair of Jack screws through bevel gearing II and with the other pair of jack screws through a sprocket chain I2, countershaft 13, and bevel gearing 14. The portion of shaft Ill extending beyond the frame is illustrated as being provided with a hexagonal portion 15 for cooperation with manual operating means, such as a socket crank, for example. Obviously, shaft 10 may also be motor operated, if desired, and, to this end, I have provided a second shaft I6 arranged to drive shaft "ll through reduction gearing l1. Shaft ll maybe connected through a motor-operated mechanism by any suitable means, not shown.

The elevating mechanism of metal-clad switch-gear of the vertical lift type is usually provided with means for blocking the operation of this elevating mechanism whenever the circuit breaker is in the closed position, at which time it would be very undesirable to allow the primary disconnecting contacts to become either engaged or disengaged. Such an arrangement is also described in the above-mentioned Paxton et a1. patent and, as illustrated in Fig. 1, coinprlses a member 18 pivoted to stationary housing Ii at 19. Member II is provided with a suitable extension arranged to engage with a portion of the removable unit when the circuit breaker is in the closed position so that it is impossible to attach a socket crank to the hexagonal end 15 of operating shaft 10 or to operate shaft IO through a suitable motor-operating mechanism.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, it is essential when grounding the circuits of metal-clad switchgear by inserting my combined testing and grounding arrangement therein that the contacts l0 and I 2 are not engaged or disengaged when the grounding switch it is closed. To prevent disengagement of the contacts II and I! when grounding switch I is closed, I have provided on removable unit ii an interlocking arrangement which cooperates with member I. of the blocking mechanism. To this end, I have provided a horizontally positioned locking bar 8| arranged to be reciprocated horizontally in response to the opening and closing movements of grounding switch ll by virtue of the pivotally mounted interlocking arm GI schematically illustrated in Fig. 2 for operating limit switches 58 and 59. Locking bar ll is provided with a projection 82 which engages with the extension 80 of pivotally mounted member 18, forcing member I8 to assume the position shown in Fig. 1 when grounding switch I4 is closed and interlock arm 60 is rotated in a clockwise direction. When this occurs and locking bar II has been moved to the right, member II is prevented from being rotated in a clockwise direction so that the hexagonal end I! of shaft ll cannot be engaged to operate the elevating mechanism. To prevent engagement of contacts II and II when grounding switch i4 is closed for some reason or other before unit I is inserted in the metal housing II, I have arranged projection 82 of locking bar Bl so that it will engage with an extension 83 supported by stationary housing ll thereby to prevent the elevation of unit 6| into its testing and grounding position until the grounding switch is first opened, whereupon projection 82 clears extension 83. From the above description, it is obvious that my combined testing and grounding device embodied in removable unit 6| cannot be moved so as to cause either engagement or disengagement of contacts l2 and the stationary portions of the primary disconnecting contacts l supported by the metal enclosure ll while the grounding switch I 4 is closed.

In view of the detailed description included above, the operation of my combined testing and grounding equipment will be obvious to those skilled in the art. With the arrangement described, grounding of the circuits may take place while the operator stands at a distance remote from the circuit being grounded. Furthermore, the circuit must always be tested before it is grounded and a live circuit cannot be grounded. In addition to this, only the circuit tested can be grounded and, hence, I have substantially eliminated all danger to life and property in the grounding of high-voltage circuits.

While I have shown and described my invention as applied to a particular arrangement and as embodying various devices some of which are diagrammatically shown, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from my invention and I, therefore, aim in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In electric switchgear of the type including a stationary structure upon which bus circuits and feeder circuits each with separate contacts are mounted and a circuit breaker of the vertical lift type bodily removable with respect to said stationary structure, means for effecting the grounding of said circuits associated with said stationary structure when said circuit breaker has been withdrawn therefrom comprising a grounding unit arranged to be lifted vertically and inserted in place of the withdrawn circuit breaker, said ground ng unit having contacts for engagement with said contacts associated with either one of said circuits, a motor-operated grounding switch included in said grounding unit. means for preventing the engagement of the contacts of said grounding unit and the contacts associated with one of said circuits when said grounding switch is in the closed position, means for preventing the disengagement of said contacts when said grounding switch is in the closed position, and means for preventing the operation of said motor-operated grounding switch when said one circuit is energized.

2. In electric switchgear of the type including a stationary structure upon which bus circuits and feeder circuits each with separate contacts are mounted and a circuit breaker bodily removable with respect to said stationary structure, means for effecting the grounding of said circuits associated with said stationary structure when said circuit breaker has been withdrawn therefrom comprising a grounding unit arranged to be insorted in place of the withdrawn circuit breaker, said grounding unit having contacts for engagement with said contacts associated with either one of said circuits, a motor-operated grounding switch included in said grounding unit, means for preventing the engagement of the contacts of said grounding unit and the contacts associated with one of said circuits when said grounding switch is in the closed position, mean for preventing the disengagement of said contacts when said grounding switch is in the closed position, means for preventing the operation of said motor-operated grounding switch when said one circuit is energized, and remote control means for controlling the operation of said motoroperated ground switch.

3. In electric switchgear of. the type including a stationary structure upon which bus circuits and feeder circuits each with separate contacts are mounted and a circuit breaker bodily removable with respect to said stationary structure, means for eflecting the grounding of said circuits associated with said stationary structure when said circuit breaker has been withdrawn therefrom comprising a combined testing and grounding unit arranged to be inserted in place of the withdrawn circuit breaker, said grounding unit having contacts for engagement with said contacts associated with one of said circuits, means for indicatingthe electrical conditions of said one circuit when said contacts are engaged, means for checking said last-mentioned means, and a motor-operated grounding switch for grounding said one circuit if said one circuit is deenergized.

4. In electric switchgear of the type including a stationary structure upon which bus circuits and feeder circuits each with separate contacts are mounted and a circuit breaker bodily removable with respect to said stationary structure, means for effecting the grounding of said circuits associated with said stationary structure when said circuit breaker has been withdrawn therefrom comprising a grounding unit arranged to be inserted in place of the withdrawn circuit breaker, said grounding unit having contacts for engagement with said contacts associated with either one of said circuits, a motor-operated grounding switch on said unit, a control circuit for said motor, means for rendering said control circuit ineffective until the contacts of said grounding unit are engaged with the contacts of one of said circuits, and means for preventing operation of said motor-operated switch when said one circuit is energized.

, WOLDEMAR SPECHT. 

